THOUSANDS of Saints fans will be making the journey to Cardiff on Saturday for the Powergen final.

THOUSANDS of Saints fans will be making the journey to Cardiff on Saturday for the Powergen final.

But proud parents Bob and Nancy Millward have already travelled 10,587 miles to watch their son's team take on Wigan Warriors at the Millennium Stadium.

Saints coach and ECHO columnist Ian Millward is determined not to disappoint his Australian parents.

He said: "If this was soccer, we would be Arsenal. We have only been beaten in one game this season.

"I have no doubt we are the better team and we can win. The lads have been outstanding in the way they have trained. I don't believe in big motivational speeches just before the match.

"All week I will be feeding them the information they need. And just before the whistle I will tell them how I am proud of them."

"There will be three generations of Millwards there - my son will be in the dugout with me and my parents will be up in the box.

"If we win there will be big celebrations. Since our next game is not for another week, the players can have a drink.

"Whatever happens we will be back in St Helens on Sunday for a parade at the

He says the team have recovered from the betting scandal which hit a few weeks ago and it is times like those make you realise the importance of your friends and teammates.

"The lads all pulled together and if you look at our results it hasn't affected out performance."

Ian has moved to Liverpool with his children Katie, 19, Elle, 14, and Robert, 12, but Bob and Nancy still live in Ian's hometown Willongong, an hour outside Sydney.

Back home Bob, 67, represents the Australian Rugby League and has worked in the game for 30 years.

He said: "I am really looking forward to watching the game in South Wales, especially because that is where my father Archibald lived before he emigrated. We are very proud of Ian and he has a big following back in Planning gong. You often see fans wearing Saints scarfs at our rugby games."